African leaders to push for slavery reparations despite resistance

13/2/2025 15:40

African leaders meeting in Ethiopia this weekend are to launch a new push for slavery and colonial reparations, but can expect to be stonewalled by former colonial powers, most of which have ruled out making amends for historical wrongs.



While the issue of reparations has gained momentum worldwide, so has the backlash. U.S. President Donald Trump has said he "doesn't see it (reparations) happening" and many of Europe's leaders have opposed even talking about it.



At the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, leaders plan to shape a "unified vision" of what reparations may look like, from financial compensation and formal acknowledgement of past wrongs to policy reforms.



"Reparations is the hot topic in Addis Ababa," the AU's economic, social and cultural council, ECOSOCC, wrote on X.



From the 15th to the 19th century, at least 12.5 million Africans were kidnapped, forcibly transported by mostly European merchants and sold into slavery.



The debate on reparations needs to address the legacy of colonialism and slavery today, from racism to the economic disparities between Africa and wealthy Western nations, said ECOSOCC, which has been advising member states on the issue.